Germany coasted past Ecuador 3-0 to clinch top spot in Group A with ease but bigger obstacles will face the World Cup hosts in the later stages.
Jubilant coach Jurgen Klinsmann watched on as his side strolled to victory after Miroslav Klose calmed any nerves with a fourth minute opener. The Werder Bremen striker collected another goal just before half time, his fourth of the tournament, and forward partner Lukas Podolski got off the mark midway through the second half.
It all added up to a comfortable afternoon in Berlin and even Ecuador seemed prepared to accept second place and conserve their energies ahead of the knockout phase tie with either England or Sweden on Sunday.
Luis Antonio Valencia's early burst down the right flank suggested the South Americans were up for the battle but they soon faded after failing to properly clear a corner. Per Mertesacker played the ball to the back post where Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was far more effective than in previous games, neatly tucked it into the path of Klose. The Germany number 11 made no mistake by pouncing to sweep an unstoppable finish wide of Cristian Mora's dive.
Germany assumed total control of the proceedings, save for a few sporadic Ecuadorian breaks, and they proceeded to carve out chances at regular intervals. Bernd Schneider blazed over after good work from Philipp Lahm and Schweinsteiger, while Mora kept out Klose.
Captain Michael Ballack was off target from long range following some smart play by Mora in preventing Podolski from reaching Ballack's well-placed through ball.
Klose showed great technique to volley a Schneider flick from over his shoulder but the finish was too high and Ecuador finally mustered an attempt when a neat dummy by Felix Borja foxed Arne Friedrich but Ivan Kaviedes was always stretching when diverting his shot well wide.
The game was over as a contest once Ballack's chip had provided Klose with an opportunity to take his tally to four for the finals, one ahead of closest rival Fernando Torres of Spain. The wily striker held off Giovanny Espinoza and took the ball past the on-rushing Mora to tap into an empty net.
After the break, Podolski and Schweinsteiger tested Mora but Jens Lehmann was belatedly called into the action at the other end with identical saves to flip over long-range attempts from Edwin Tenorio and the classy Edison Mendez.
Podolski should have scored after Lahm evaded Jorge Guagua far too easily down Germany's left flank but he did not have to wait long for his first World Cup finals goal. A flowing move on the break sliced open the Ecuador defence with Schweinsteiger patiently feeding Schneider on the right wing. When the cross arrived, it was also perfectly timed and Podolski did not have to break stride, sliding in to beat Mora.
The remaining 33 minutes saw little action of note, although Klose's pull-back did allow Podolski another chance - they may allegedly not get on too well off the field but Germany's strikers were too hot for Ecuador to handle.
Ecuador produced their best effort of the game when Mendez curled a right-footed free kick just over the top of Lehmann's goal and substitute Cristian Lara also fired a speculative shot wide.
Germany rallied in the closing stages, looking to add a fourth to further delight their already cheerful home supporters. Ballack, clearly playing within himself and lucky to avoid injury when fouled by Valencia, lashed over and the Chelsea new boy also stung Mora's hands with a powerful drive. The over-worked keeper also did well to thwart Schweinsteiger but it mattered little as the hosts coasted home.
Jubilant coach Jurgen Klinsmann watched on as his side strolled to victory after Miroslav Klose calmed any nerves with a fourth minute opener. The Werder Bremen striker collected another goal just before half time, his fourth of the tournament, and forward partner Lukas Podolski got off the mark midway through the second half.
It all added up to a comfortable afternoon in Berlin and even Ecuador seemed prepared to accept second place and conserve their energies ahead of the knockout phase tie with either England or Sweden on Sunday.
Luis Antonio Valencia's early burst down the right flank suggested the South Americans were up for the battle but they soon faded after failing to properly clear a corner. Per Mertesacker played the ball to the back post where Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was far more effective than in previous games, neatly tucked it into the path of Klose. The Germany number 11 made no mistake by pouncing to sweep an unstoppable finish wide of Cristian Mora's dive.
Germany assumed total control of the proceedings, save for a few sporadic Ecuadorian breaks, and they proceeded to carve out chances at regular intervals. Bernd Schneider blazed over after good work from Philipp Lahm and Schweinsteiger, while Mora kept out Klose.
Captain Michael Ballack was off target from long range following some smart play by Mora in preventing Podolski from reaching Ballack's well-placed through ball.
Klose showed great technique to volley a Schneider flick from over his shoulder but the finish was too high and Ecuador finally mustered an attempt when a neat dummy by Felix Borja foxed Arne Friedrich but Ivan Kaviedes was always stretching when diverting his shot well wide.
The game was over as a contest once Ballack's chip had provided Klose with an opportunity to take his tally to four for the finals, one ahead of closest rival Fernando Torres of Spain. The wily striker held off Giovanny Espinoza and took the ball past the on-rushing Mora to tap into an empty net.
After the break, Podolski and Schweinsteiger tested Mora but Jens Lehmann was belatedly called into the action at the other end with identical saves to flip over long-range attempts from Edwin Tenorio and the classy Edison Mendez.
Podolski should have scored after Lahm evaded Jorge Guagua far too easily down Germany's left flank but he did not have to wait long for his first World Cup finals goal. A flowing move on the break sliced open the Ecuador defence with Schweinsteiger patiently feeding Schneider on the right wing. When the cross arrived, it was also perfectly timed and Podolski did not have to break stride, sliding in to beat Mora.
The remaining 33 minutes saw little action of note, although Klose's pull-back did allow Podolski another chance - they may allegedly not get on too well off the field but Germany's strikers were too hot for Ecuador to handle.
Ecuador produced their best effort of the game when Mendez curled a right-footed free kick just over the top of Lehmann's goal and substitute Cristian Lara also fired a speculative shot wide.
Germany rallied in the closing stages, looking to add a fourth to further delight their already cheerful home supporters. Ballack, clearly playing within himself and lucky to avoid injury when fouled by Valencia, lashed over and the Chelsea new boy also stung Mora's hands with a powerful drive. The over-worked keeper also did well to thwart Schweinsteiger but it mattered little as the hosts coasted home.
